Standing out from the jobseeking crowd

Competition for roles throughout Britain has intensified over the past few months, as employers have been able to take more time in choosing the right candidates for them – thanks to the passing of the recession.

This is particularly true of roles such as media or broadcast jobs, where competition was already high for skilled professionals looking to break into these markets.

However there are some surefire ways to stand out from the crowd, according to HR specialist, Aileen Brown.

“It’s vital to stay positive,” Brown said. “The first thing to think about when looking for a new job is your CV or application form. In order to stand out from the crowd, you need to have a solid CV.”

She advised that CVs should sell the individual – highlighting the true value they could bring to any organisation, and providing a insight into the person’s areas of expertise.

“Then highlight the experience that supports this. The extra responsibilities you have taken on,” Brown added on ChangeBoard.com.

Impressing a potential employer within the interview is another key thing to master, particularly as many organisations now using competency-based interviewing techniques, as these help them to identify how an applicant’s future behaviour will be, based on their past experience.

“Ensure each answer you give includes an example that describes a particular scenario, the actions you took and the impact it had. The interviewer will want to see how you personally handled the situation, therefore avoid saying ‘we’,” the expert advised.

To conclude, Brown said flexibility is key, particularly in terms of transferable skills and being proactive towards a job hunt. She also added: “Make sure you are speaking with a recruiting expert, as a good recruiter can aid your job search [and] have access to opportunities that are not always advertised.”